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Origin of the Surname Manhour
The surname Manhour has a relatively dispersed geographical distribution, although with a notable concentration in certain countries, mainly in Algeria (ISO code 'dz'), with an incidence of 11%, and to a lesser extent in countries such as Burkina Faso ('bf'), Jordan ('jo') and Morocco ('ma'), with incidences ranging between 1% and 1.1%. The predominant presence in Algeria, together with distribution in North African countries and some regions of the Middle East, suggests that the surname could have an origin in areas with Arab or Berber influences. The dispersal in African countries and in Jordan could also indicate an expansion linked to migratory movements, colonization or cultural exchanges in the Mediterranean and North African region.
The high incidence in Algeria, in particular, can be interpreted as an indication that the surname has roots in that region, possibly derived from Arab, Berber or even French influences, given the country's colonial past. The presence in other African countries and in Jordan could reflect internal migrations or population movements in recent times. The current geographical distribution, therefore, suggests that the surname Manhour probably has an origin in North Africa, in a region where Arab and Berber influences have been predominant for centuries.
Etymology and Meaning of Manhour
The linguistic analysis of the surname Manhour reveals that its structure does not clearly correspond to typical Spanish patronymic patterns, such as the suffixes -ez or -oz, nor to names of Basque, Catalan or Galician origin. The presence of the element "man" in English means "man", and "hour" in English means "hour", but in the context of a surname, these English words do not seem to be the root. However, since the geographical distribution is not limited to English-speaking countries, it is likely that the form "Manhour" is an adaptation or transliteration of a term of Arabic or Berber origin, or even a Hispanicized form of a surname with a different root.
It is possible that the surname derives from an Arabic word or expression, given the geographical context. In Arabic, many words related to identity, profession or physical characteristics have been adapted into surnames over the centuries. The structure "Manhour" could be a phonetic transliteration of an Arabic term that, in its original form, could have had a meaning related to a profession, a place, or a personal characteristic.
From an etymological perspective, the surname could be classified as toponymic or descriptive, if we consider that it could derive from a place name or a physical or social characteristic. The presence in North African countries and Jordan reinforces the hypothesis of an Arab or Berber origin, since in these regions surnames often reflect geographical, tribal or professional characteristics.
In summary, although the exact etymology of "Manhour" cannot be established with certainty without in-depth documentary analysis, it can be hypothesized that the surname has roots in the Arab or Berber world, possibly adapted phonetically in different regions. The structure of the surname does not correspond to Spanish patronymic patterns or other traditional European patterns, which reinforces the hypothesis of an origin in the Arab world or in communities with Arab influence in North Africa and the Middle East.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The current distribution of the surname Manhour, with its concentration in Algeria and presence in countries such as Burkina Faso, Jordan and Morocco, suggests that its origin could be in North Africa, specifically in the Maghreb region. Historically, this area has been a crossroads of civilizations, where Arab, Berber, Phoenician, Roman and French influences have left deep marks on the culture and on the names and surnames of its inhabitants.
It is likely that the surname arose in a context in which local communities adopted names related to geographical, tribal or professional characteristics, or that it was transmitted by Arab migrations during the expansion of Islam in the region, which began in the 7th century. The presence in Jordan may also be related to migratory movements in the Levant region, where Arab communities have had a history of displacement and settlement.
The expansion of the surname could be linked to historical processes such as the French colonization in North Africa, which favored the transmission andadaptation of certain surnames in local communities. Furthermore, internal and external migrations, motivated by economic, political or social reasons, would have contributed to the dispersion of the surname in different African and Middle Eastern countries.
Another hypothesis is that the surname Manhour could have been adopted or adapted by specific communities in the context of cultural and commercial exchanges in the Mediterranean region, especially in areas where Arab and Berber influences were predominant. The presence in countries such as Burkina Faso, although to a lesser extent, could reflect recent migratory movements or less direct historical connections, perhaps through colonizers or traders.
Variants of the Surname Manhour
Depending on the distribution and possible roots of the surname, it is plausible that there are orthographic or phonetic variants. For example, in Arabic or Berber contexts, the surname could have been transliterated in different ways, depending on the writing system and phonetic adaptations in each country.
Variants such as "Manhour", "Mankour", "Mannour" or even forms with prefixes or suffixes that indicate belonging or relationship, could exist in different regions. In French-speaking countries, where colonial influence was significant, the surname may have been adapted to French spelling, resulting in forms such as "Manour" or "Mannour".
Likewise, in Spanish-speaking contexts, if the surname had reached Latin America, it could have been modified in its writing or pronunciation, giving rise to regional variants. However, given that the current distribution does not show a significant presence in America, these variants would be more hypothetical than evident.
In conclusion, variants of the surname Manhour likely reflect phonetic and orthographic adaptations in different languages and regions, especially in Arabic, Berber and Francophone contexts, where linguistic influences have shaped the way surnames are transmitted and written.
